Mitsubishi facing cover-up scandal

Mitsubishi executives in Japan say they will set up a panel of outsiders to investigate how fuel mileage test data was intentionally falsified for a number of its nameplates.

The company said four mini-car models – eK Wagon and eK Space – and the Dayz and Dayz Roox, which have been built by Mitsubishi for Nissan since June 2013, are caught up in the growing scandal.

Roughly 157,000 Mitusbhishi eK models and 468,000 Nissan Dayz and Dayz Roox are affected. There appears to be no link to Canadian nameplates.

Reports indicated questions about the data surfaced after Nissan noticed inconsistencies in the numbers. An internal review at Mitsubishi revealed that staff had intentionally manipulated tire pressure data to improve mileage ratings.

“We express deep apologies to all of our customers and stakeholders for this issue,” the company wrote in a release.

MMC president Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters at a press conference in Tokyo this week the wrongdoing was intentional and that he was unaware of any of the actions.

“MMC learned of the improper conduct that MMC used the running resistance value for testing which provided more advantageous fuel consumption rates than the actual rates. MMC will sincerely respond to our customers who own and use the applicable cars.”

Production and sales on the models has halted as MMC works to review its testing methods. A committee of external experts is also being created with investigation results to be revealed as soon as it is complete.